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Murder investigation launched after girl, 16, found stabbed in park

A murder investigation has been launched into the death of a 16-year-old girl in a park in Cheshire.

Emergency services were scrambled to Culcheth Linear Park, at 3.13pm on Saturday, February 11 and Cheshire Police have now confirmed that the body of Brianna Ghey, from Birchwood, was found on a path. She had suffered ‘multiple stab wounds’, the force confirmed.

Cheshire Police Detective Chief Superintendent Mike Evans described the crime as “a truly awful attack” and Home Office post-mortem examination is currently taking place to establish the precise cause of Brianna’s death.

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Police are keen to speak to anyone who was in the park between 1.30pm and 4pm yesterday, including a man and a woman in their late teens or early twenties., who were seen not far from where her body was found.



Emergency services rushed to the scene on Saturday afternoon after reports of a body being found in the park

Detective Chief Superintendent Evans said the two potential witnesses being sought both had dark curly hair, adding: “The man was wearing a longish dark hooded coat and the woman had a distinctive red or purple black checked blanket-style coat and a long flowing skirt, dress or trousers.

“We are also keen to speak to anyone who was in the park from around 1.30pm until 4.00pm yesterday,” he continued, “or anyone who may have seen Brianna in the hours leading up to her death. “

He added: “We would ask people and businesses within the local community to check any CCTV or dashcam footage for anything that may aid our investigation.

“I would like to reassure the local community that we are working hard to find those responsible for Brianna’s death and we have extra officers in and around Culcheth supporting the investigation. We also have officers supporting Brianna’s family at this really tragic time.”

His colleague Detective Chief Inspector Adam Waller, added: “I understand the concerns that this incident is likely to cause, and I am aware that there are rumours circulating online – however, I would urge people not to speculate.

“We are following numerous lines of enquiry to establish what led to the victim’s death, and local residents will see an increased presence of police officers in the area while we investigate this incident.

“At this stage we do not believe there is a wider threat to anyone else however if you have concerns please do speak to a local officer”.

Local MP, Charlotte Nichols wrote on Facebook: “I’ve spoken to the Warrington Police Borough Commander regarding the tragic death below.

“If you have any information, or were in the nearby area and have dashcam footage, please come forward even if you think it’s nothing- let the police make that decision.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased, and I will continue to liaise with and support our local police in any way I can in ascertaining all the facts of this case.”

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